kellan_the_tabby

This session's theme was "Weaponized Incompetence and Malicious Compliance." I wrote from 12:30 PM to 4:30 AM, so about 14 hours, accounting for breaks. I wrote 3 poems on Tuesday and another 6 later in the week.

Participation was variable, with 10 comments on LiveJournal and another 32 on Dreamwidth. A total of 12 people sent prompts.

Read Some Poetry!
The following poems from the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl have been posted:
"Always Surprised by Consequences"
"Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
"No Such Thing as Finished"
"The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"
"Provoking Change by Bringing Nature"

"An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government" (Polychrome Heroics March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl)
"Tomato Seedlings in Tin Cans" (Daughters of the Apocalypse, June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl)

Buy some poetry!
If you plan to sponsor some poetry but haven't made up your mind yet, see the unsold poetry list from July 1. That includes the title, length, price, and the original thumbnail description for the poems still available.

This session's donors include:

janetmiles,

fuzzyred, and Anthony Barrette. All sponsored poems from this fishbowl have been posted. There are 4 tallies, so there will be a bonus fishbowl on Tuesday, July 15.

The Poetry Fishbowl has a landing page.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

The following poems from the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl are currently available. Poems may be sponsored via PayPal -- there's a permanent donation button on my Dreamwidth profile page -- or you can write to me and discuss other methods. There are still verses left in the linkback poems "Delight in Another," "A Sense of Weather Changes," "Ouroboros Insects," "The Loving Embrace of Night," "Generations of Cooks Past," "Homefree and Clear, " "One Bite at a Time," "Stars and Diamonds," "Mishpocha," "Changing Your Nature," and "Besa."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It is posted here as the second freebie, courtesy of new prompter

gothfvck. It was inspired by a prompt from

see_also_friend. It also fills the "bad girls" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo Fest.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

2. 35-billion-year-old Moon rock found in Africa rewrites lunar history

A 2.35-billion-year-old Moon rock that fell to Earth in Africa is rewriting what we know about lunar volcanism. This rare meteorite, studied by UK scientists and unveiled at a major geochemistry conference, reveals that the Moon was volcanically active far longer than previously thought. With a unique chemical makeup and an age that bridges a billion-year gap in Moon rock samples, it suggests the Moon had internal heat sources that persisted for ages.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

I've been talking about placemaking with a friend, and how to connect the dots with different activities...

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

dialecticdreamer

Working Troubles
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1296
[Friday, 4 August, 2017, 3 p.m.]

:: LaQuinta’s day is a series of disappointments and troubles. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::

Reaching for the small paper bag of leftovers, LaQuinta felt all the air rush out of her lungs in a gusty sigh. “I’ve got a place to sleep. I’ve got a shower or tub whenever I want it, and can use the toilet between ten at night and seven in the morning.” She mouthed the remaining words as her air ran out. “I’ll find some work tomorrow. Maybe I can hide the Surrey at Cash’s place. Maybe it’ll help.”

She lifted the bag, double checked the lock on her bike chain, and stepped away from the parking space in front of her room.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: frustrated

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy, mild, and damp -- so cloudy that the light is dim.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches plus a pair of cardinals.

I put out water for the birds.

It's starting to drizzle.

EDIT 7/13/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/13/25 -- I refilled the birdfeeders again.

I've seen a fox squirrel.

As it is still wet out, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

For fans of the Marketplace series of kinky books by Laura Antoniou, the author has the rights back.

Current Mood: busy

scrubjayspeaks

I SAW A BLUE JAY AT HOME!

Sorry, needed to get the most important news out first. I have been deeply jealous of work, where there are a bunch of blue jays* swinging by on a regular basis to harass people on the patio. In eleven years at my home, I have never seen a blue jay here. But yesterday, while out cleaning the corrals, I saw one flitting about. Looked fluffy and vaguely juvenile. I hope it sticks around. I may be one of the few people who is actually happy at the prospect of jays coming around to pester.

*For those not in California, I am referring to the California scrub jay, Aphelocoma californica, not the variety seen in the eastern portions of the continent, though both are colloquially referred to as blue jays. Still a corvid, still a beautiful blue bastard.

Anyway! Work was boring; I have resorted to reading library books on my phone at my desk. Complained to my boss that all the things I’m allegedly meant to be doing are either swept up by other people or locked behind the endless bureaucracy of waiting on approvals or support from people who don’t appear to ever do anything at all. I don’t actually like being this bored, with or without library books on my phone. I did get to do some wall patching and painting, though, so that was a relief.

Lewisia: 2 new pieces written, so now I’m a full week ahead ヽ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ

Day job: 42.5 hours--a normal week???

Cooking: pineapple swirl milk bread (no recipe beyond the base milk bread from KAF, completely winging the alterations and additions, turned out tasty, would make as swirl rolls a la cinnamon rolls next time)

Gardening: more work on the club’s barcode database, garden club post, had a tree branch fall nearly on my car so had to drag that off for eventual dismantling

Watching: Murderbot season finale--premium quality entertainment 🔪🤖🖤

Listening: The Crux by Djo (very good, whatever this is called--shoegaze?--it is exceedingly pleasing for me, still hasn’t topped DECIDE but give it time to grow on me)

Clock Mouse: 1160 words

marthawells

A really thoughtful essay on Murderbot: ‘Even If They Are My Favourite Human’: Murderbot Just Explained Boundaries

https://countercurrents.org/2025/07/even-if-they-are-my-favourite-human-murderbot-just-explained-boundaries/

“I Don’t Know What I Want”: The Line That Changed Everything

In the final moments of the season, Murderbot says: “I don’t know what I want. But I know I don’t want anyone to tell me what I want or to make decisions for me. Even if they are my favourite human.”

This is not a dramatic declaration. It is confusion wrapped in clarity. A sentence that holds discomfort and self-awareness in equal measure. It reflects a truth often ignored in stories about intelligence and emotion: that it is okay to not know, as long as that unknowing belongs to the self. In a world that constantly demands certainty, this line opens up space for uncertainty without shame.

* And a great interview with Alexander Skarsgård!

https://collider.com/murderbot-finale-alexander-skarsgard/

So, it just wants to start fresh and get away, and figure out who it is and what it wants. It doesn't really know that. I quite enjoyed that Murderbot didn't end up having answers to all the questions or knowing exactly what it wants. It's more messy and complicated than that. But it definitely knows that it needs to find its own path and make its own decisions, to make its own mistakes, and not have the Corporation or anyone tell it who it is or what it wants.

umadoshi

We made it to the little market down the road for the second week running and found the first vendor we visited down to his last several boxes of raspberries, so we bought two and headed back home. First raspberries of the season!

(I think yesterday was the first time I ever actually stopped and noticed why raspberries are called that.)

Reading: In non-fiction, I'm still reading through Tamar Adler's An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace.

On the fiction front, last week I read Cameron Reed's The Fortunate Fall, relatively recently (and finally!) reissued under her current name after its first life as an award-winning SFF novel under her deadname literal decades ago. (I believe her upcoming novel is her first since this one!) It didn't actually hit my emotional buttons very hard (which isn't indicative of how anyone else might react), but it's beautifully constructed and executed. I see why it's so beloved by so many people. ^_^

I also read We Are All Completely Fine (Daryl Gregory), which I didn't realize was a novella until I started reading, so it went by pretty quickly. Interesting horror worldbuilding, although other than the characters' specific histories it's almost entirely hinted at or nodded to; I, at least, came away with almost no actual idea of what's actually going on on a larger scale.

And I read the new Murderbot story ("Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy") that Martha Wells released for the show finale (note that Murderbot itself isn't actually present in the story).

Watching: No Leverage this week, I don't think.

scruloose and I have agreed to switch this to an "I watch this when I feel like it, and if they're around and feel like it, they'll watch with me" show rather than one we're Watching Together. They enjoy it, but don't feel a burning need to see every episode.

I kind of wonder if I haven't been started a show on my own for so long because I'm sort of subconsciously waiting to be able to watch the rest of Justice in the Dark whenever the whole thing is subbed somewhere.

We've seen the Murderbot finale, and I'm awfully glad the show's been renewed.

Beyond that, the two of us have now watched the very first episode of Silo, having had good luck with Apple SFF shows. I haven't read the books, so I know almost nothing about it.

(I have food stuff to talk about, but I think I'll call this a post and hope to write more later.)

Current Mood: okay

$mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)$

mdlbear

It's been a week. Starting with my son's fortieth birthday, and ending with the fourth anniversary of Colleen's death. I started writing a "state of the Bear" post last Sunday, and will either finish it today or tomorrow, or give up on it. But productive.

I went out for a walk four days this week -- the longest was about a kilometer, and the shortest was 650m. I practiced every day, which I haven't done for a long time. And, at N's suggestion, I started a work log, to keep track of what I've done for our business. I'll write it up separately, of course, but it's been remarkably effective. See under Monday for the start, but it's all been moved out of Dog/to.do to different file and workspace, which will mostly not find its way into this log, although pieces might.

It also shows how appallingly lazy I've been for the last six months.

Not really surprising -- I've been retired for eight years, and I've allowed myself to get out of shape in a great many ways. It's probably too late to get back to where I was a decade ago, but I'll do what I can.

And of course, the best-laid plans... Friday N and I started putting together a piece of patio furniture, and wore ourselves out completely. And yesterday was Colleen's day and I actually got more done than I expected. Weekends are for catching up.

As for links, AI coding tools make developers slower, study finds • The Register. As I've often said, HTML Is Publishing, Not Code

And this is flat-out amazing: Hundreds of robots move Shanghai city block - YouTube

( Notes & links, as usual )

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag
Current Music: see post

ysabetwordsmith

Melting glaciers are awakening Earth's most dangerous volcanoes

As glaciers melt around the world, long-dormant volcanoes may be waking up beneath the ice. New research reveals that massive ice sheets have suppressed eruptions for thousands of years, building up underground pressure. But as that icy weight disappears, it may trigger a wave of explosive eruptions—especially in places like Antarctica. This unexpected volcanic threat not only poses regional risks but could also accelerate climate change in a dangerous feedback loop. The Earth’s hidden fire may be closer to the surface than we thought.

Somehow OH SHIT just doesn't seem like enough. O_O I have noticed that the volcanoes seem more restless than they used to, and now wonder if this could be a contributing factor.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today we made a smoothie with:

1 cup almond milk
1 cup Brown Cow vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons Bettergoods pistachio butter
a dash of cardamom

The result is off-white and on the thin side. It tastes okay, but does not have much pistachio flavor at this stage.

The pistachio butter does have a strong pistachio flavor, but it is quite sweet; sugar is the second ingredient. So we skipped the honey that we usually put into a nut butter smoothie.

Current Mood: busy

chanter1944

New birds added to the life list while camping at Lake Kegonsa: Osprey, courtesy the nest built on a doubtless purpose-created platform along a local trail. So, so, cool. :D Also least flycatcher, which was a total random chance surprise. :)

Warm fuzzy of the day in a different category entirely, though, was getting love from a rescue puppydog while on the way back to the apartment with a bag of groceries. The groceries were set safely down before the (possible pitty/lab mix, there were characteristics of both for sure, shorter fur and slightly perked ears, but also fluffy double coat and super happy otter tail) got pet. According to her people, I made her day. My reaction was, she made mine! :)

Random post is random.

scrubjayspeaks

Welcome to the July edition of Pandemic Garden Club! Growing good things in strange times!

Anyone is welcome to comment with what they're growing right now, things they would like to try, problems they're encountering, and questions they have. Share resources, answer questions, shout encouragement.

As for myself...

( Read more... )

dialecticdreamer

News Conference
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1463
[Thursday, 3 August, 2017, 7 p.m.]

:: A small, private conference is not news, but it might shape the next day’s news. Part of the Unfair Trades arc in Mercedes, within the Polychrome Heroics universe. ::

Robert Cort’s office was bright and open under the panel ceiling lights. Reflections brightened the long curved wall facing onto the helicopter pad, the walls only a shade or two off from pure white. The carpet made of squares glued down in a mix of diamonds and X shapes, lined in gray, putty, and taupe, was only a few shades lighter than the walnut wood veneer on the furniture. He leaned hipshot against the receptionist’s desk,

Across the long room, the form of Alfonso Durante ran a finger along the wide, waist-high windowsill as he paced the curved wall. “I checked it out with a friend at the newsroom,” he insisted, nearly growling. “They swear that they bought the story from a refugee. A hundred bucks for a tip that put every single person who owns a Surrey, or even rides in one, in danger of reprisals.” He hissed the last word, a snake giving a final warning.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: contemplative

silvercat17 posting in

justcreate

What are you working on? What have you finished? What do you need encouragement on?

Are there any cool events or challenges happening that you want to hype?

What do you just want to talk about?

What have you been watching or reading?

Chores and other not-fun things count!

Remember to encourage other commenters and we have a discord where we can do work-alongs and chat, linked in the sticky

ysabetwordsmith

This is what's wrong with most renditions of superheroes.

Superhero on Call

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy, mild, and wet. It rained earlier.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a male cardinal.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/12/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

It started drizzling again.

EDIT 7/12/25 -- I potted up 2 apricot seeds.

I picked the first ripe cucumber. :D

Current Mood: busy

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kellan

The Vagabond Tabby

July 2025

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Page generated Jul. 16th, 2025 02:32 pm

speaking the truth

even when my voice trembles

Reading

Poetry Fishbowl Report for July 1, 2025

Unsold Poems for the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl

Poem: "Provoking Change by Bringing Nature"

Space Exploration

Placemaking: How to Connect the Dots

Working Troubles (part 1 of 1, complete)

Birdfeeding

Marketplace Books

Done This Week

More Murderbot Articles

Weekly proof of life: mainly media

Done Since 2025-07-06

Climate Change

Today's Smoothie

land stewardship FTW

Pandemic Garden Club

News Conference (part 1 of 1, complete)

Just Create - Shishi (guardian lions) Edition

Superhero on Call

Birdfeeding

Profile

July 2025

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